Method and apparatus for indicating direction using a screen, and vehicle equipped therewith

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for indicating direction using a screen, wherein a pattern of relatively dark and relatively bright sections is moved over a screen, in a direction in which an observer is to be directed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for indicating information on a screen, comprising at least one screen and image information-generating means, wherein the image information-generating means comprise at least one algorithm for displaying, on said screen, at least one first image in the form of a moving pattern of first and second sections, wherein the first sections are relatively bright compared to the second sections, wherein the screen has longitudinal edges and said image information-generating means are preferably arranged for at least temporarily moving said pattern in the direction of at least one of the longitudinal edges.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/577,904, which is a U.S. National Phase of International ApplicationNumber PCT/NL2004/000767 filed Nov. 2, 2004, and Netherlands ApplicationNL 1024694 filed Nov. 3, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a method for indicating direction using ascreen. The invention further relates to an apparatus suitable for thispurpose and a vehicle provided with such an apparatus.

From practice, it is known to use a screen for indicating direction, forinstance in a navigation system for a vehicle such as an automobile. Anexample of such a system is Carin®, a navigation system of Philips, theNetherlands. On the basis of GPS, the position of a vehicle isdetermined and via an interface a desired destination of the vehicle canbe entered. The navigation system then chooses a route between thedetermined position and the desired position. During the drive, thisroute is shown via the screen in bright color animations.

In these known systems, the screen information is relatively detailedand one needs to look directly at the screen in order to be able toobserve the information presented. This is not favorable to safety. Inaddition, the information presented is relatively static in that theimage replacement does not take place continuously but periodically.Depending on a set accuracy and scale, the information presented willtherefore be relatively late or at least have a visually low accuracy.

In order to obviate this disadvantage, it is known to support the visualinformation by spoken information. Here, route information is presentedusing speech generation. Examples of this information may, for instance,be: “after three hundred meters keep left” or “after two hundred meterstake the first turn on the roundabout”. In this manner, relevantinformation is presented without the driver needing to take his or hereyes off the road to look at a screen. In addition, this information canbe given relatively early. A disadvantage of the speech support is thatit can be lost in background noise such as vehicle noise, speech andmusic in the vehicle and the like. In addition, such spoken informationcan be unclear and cause irritation of the driver.

It is further known to present direction information on a screen using,for instance, arrows and similar animations. For instance, with paymentterminals, screens are used where, with the aid of arrows, buttons areindicated which must/can be pressed for a particular desired action.These are difficult to recognize particularly for visually impairedpeople.

JP 09159480 describes a navigation system for a vehicle, where, on aroadmap, the road to be traveled is depicted in the form of a line builtup from dark and bright sections which moves over the representation ofthis road to be traveled and, as a whole, moves along with the roadmap.So, this line often includes bends, so that the sections from which theline is built up move in different directions.

SUMMARY

The invention contemplates a method for presenting direction informationusing a screen, where the disadvantages mentioned are at least partlyavoided.

The invention particularly contemplates providing a method which isapplicable with or as a navigation system, for instance for vehicles,whereby the ease of use and/or the safety is increased compared toexisting navigation systems.

The invention further contemplates providing a method of the typedescribed in the introduction with which the ease of use of apparatusesprovided with screens is increased.

The invention more particularly contemplates providing such a methodwhere information is presented on a screen, visible and clear to adriver of a vehicle or another user of an apparatus without this screenbeing looked at directly.

The invention further contemplates providing an apparatus for presentingdirection information on, at least using a screen and a vehicle providedwith such an apparatus.

At least a number of these and further objects are achieved with amethod or apparatus according to the invention.

In a method according to the invention, a pattern of relatively dark andrelatively bright sections is moved over a screen, in a direction inwhich an observer is to be directed.

It has been found that a moving pattern of sections which are relativelydark and bright relative to each other on a screen is well visible andinformative to observers such as for instance drivers of vehicles,particularly also in a peripheral visual field. In addition, it has beenfound that such patterns are excellently suitable for giving simpleinstructions, which can be presented instead of or, preferably,additionally to other visual information. Thus, at least a part of thedesired direction information can be presented to, for instance, adriver of a vehicle without him or her needing to take the eyes off theroad. In addition, such patterns can simply be used for, for instance,visually impaired people, because, surprisingly, their peripheral visualfield is often found to be still sensitive to such moving patterns,while the central visual field is virtually eliminated.

In this context, an observer is understood to mean an intended user ofthe information presented. In this context, indicating direction is atleast understood to mean information with respect to a desired directionof movement of, for instance, a vehicle, but also a desired direction ofattention and/or action, such as for instance instructions on a screenof a payment terminal or the like, for control buttons and the like.This is explicitly understood to include information which can be usedin that context, for instance attention information such as movingpatterns with which precisely the attention of an observer can be drawn,for instance prior to the presentation of the actual information.

In this context, a moving pattern is at least understood to mean animage on a screen which visually appears to undergo a movement in adirection of, for instance, a longitudinal edge of the screen,preferably relatively fluently.

In a method according to the invention, preferably, a pattern ofalternately relatively dark and bright sections is used, particularlystripes.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, this pattern is presented ona screen, next to or as background of a second image which is relativelystatic with respect to the pattern. For instance, this pattern can bedisplayed as background in a screen of an existing navigation system asthe second image, or as support in a screen of, for instance, atelephone display, an ATM, a computer screen or the like.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a method according to theinvention is used in a method for presenting route information in avehicle, characterized by the measures according to claim 5.

In such a method, a screen of a navigation system is placed in a vehiclesuch as a car, preferably such that it is located in a peripheral visualfield of a driver of this vehicle if the driver is looking straightahead. On the screen, in a usual manner, visual route information isgiven, for instance by animation, optionally speech-supported. On thesame screen, in the above-described manner, a moving pattern of sectionsis presented, preferably only when extra attention of the driver isneeded, for instance in case of a turn to be taken, route and/or trafficinformation and the like and/or prior to presenting such information.

Because the pattern is presented, the attention of the driver can safelybe drawn and relatively simple information can be conveyed without theneed to look at the screen and/or to listen to the spoken informationfor this purpose. Especially if the screen is placed in a peripheralvisual field, the safety is thus considerably increased.

Preferably, the pattern is presented in a brightness and/or contrastlower than that of the topographical image and/or graphicalrepresentation of a route, in particular a contrast and/or brightness of50% or less than that of the topographical image and/or graphicalrepresentation of a route. It has been found that less than 20% of thecontrast thereof is already sufficient to be able to convey the desiredinformation in a peripheral visual field.

For uses for visually impaired people, preferably a higher contrast isused, for instance equal to that of a second, more static image.

It is preferred that the pattern is presented in grays, at least assubstantially monochrome sections, lines and the like. It isparticularly advantageous when the route information or similar secondimage is presented in color, since this yields an attractive image withwhich, for instance, a high information density and great clarity can beachieved.

With a pattern according to the invention, at least due to the structureand/or the movement speed and/or modulation frequency and/or directionand/or composition of the pattern, information can be presented, forinstance directed on the basis of the attention desired of the driverand/or an action to be performed by the driver. Preferably, use is madeof at least structure as direction of movement.

The invention further relates to an apparatus for indicating informationon a screen, characterized by the measures according to claim 11.

With such an apparatus, in a simple and safe manner, information can bepresented using a screen, particularly also in those situations whendirectly looking at the screen is undesired or, conversely, the driver'sattention needs to be drawn and/or if a user is visually impaired.

Preferably, an apparatus according to the invention further comprisesimage information-generating means for presenting further information onthe screen, in the form of a second image, next to or through the imageformed by the pattern. This is at least understood to mean presentingtwo images which are visible and interpretable both in combination andindividually.

The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with an apparatusaccording to the invention.

In the claims, further advantageous embodiments of a method, apparatusand vehicle according to the invention are shown. To clarify theinvention, exemplary embodiments thereof will be further elucidated withreference to the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows the arrangement of an apparatus accordingto the invention in a vehicle;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows an image on a screen of an apparatusaccording to the invention, in a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows an image on a screen of an apparatusaccording to the invention, in a second embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-C show a series of successive image configurations, for drawingattention to an approaching change of direction and a subsequentindication of this change of direction;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative use of the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows an image configuration for use with a method according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this description, same or corresponding parts have same orcorresponding reference numerals. By way of illustration, FIGS. 1-5 showa method and apparatus according to the invention in a car as vehicle.FIG. 6 shows an ATM as an example. However, the embodiments and usesshown are by no means to be taken as being limitative.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 according to the invention, for use of amethod according to the invention. This apparatus 1 comprises a screen2, image information-generating means such as a calculation unit 3 withmeans for storing and providing image information coupled thereto, suchas a CD or DVD player 4. Further, control means 5 are provided, forinstance a keyboard, remote control, steering wheel control or the like.Such an apparatus is known per se as navigation system for, forinstance, use in a car, boat, airplane or the like. To the imageinformation-generating means 3, preferably a GPS receiver 6 or similarposition determining apparatus is coupled so that the position of theapparatus can be determined at all times and be displayed on the screen2.

In an apparatus 1 according to the invention, in the imageinformation-generating means 3, a module 7 is added or coupled, whichmodule is provided with at least one algorithm, arranged for displayinga first, substantially dynamic image 8 on a screen, for instance asshown in FIG. 7. Such a first image 8 consists of, for instance, apattern 30 which moves in the direction of a longitudinal edge 9 of thescreen 2 or makes reciprocal movements. More generally, thus, a dynamicfirst image 8 can be generated which gives the impression that itrotates and/or translates over the screen 2 and/or varies in lightintensity or contrast and/or structure for suggesting movement.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first image 8 is built up ofsections which are relatively bright and dark relative to each other.FIG. 7 shows, for instance, a first image 8 which alternately comprisesfirst, relatively bright sections 10 and second, relatively darksections 11, between which a transitional section 12 is provided inwhich the tone changes from the relatively dark sections 11 to therelatively bright sections 10 and vice versa. Stripes are shown, but ofcourse a fluent transition can be used or different types of sections,for instance blocks, circles and the like. In FIG. 7, the image 8, atleast the pattern 30, runs in the direction P from the bottom to the topin the drawing, in the direction of the upper longitudinal edge. Herein,movement is, for instance, to be understood to mean that the stripes 10,11 (seem to) move upward. It is clear that these movements can takeplace in several individual or combined directions. The suggestion ofmovement can of course also be generated, at least enhanced, byswitching parts of the first image 8 on and off.

As FIG. 3 shows, on the screen 2, the first image 8 can be displayedtogether with a second image 13, in the example shown a roadmap of anavigation system. On this first image, mainly relatively dark sections11 are visible over the second image 13. The second image 13 shows apart of a road system in which a flag 14 indicates the destination 15entered by the user using the control means 5, as well as a route 16 tothis from a starting point (not shown). Using a symbol such as an arrow17, it is indicated where the vehicle 18 in which the apparatus 1,particularly the navigation system, is included is located. Toillustrate the embodiment shown, in FIG. 3, the first image is providedwith a frame 20. This can be left out in practice.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the screen 2 in a vehicle 18. FIG. 2shows, from the driver position 21 behind a wheel 22, the primary 23 andsecondary visual field 24 of the driver when he or she looks straightahead through the windscreen 25. The screen 2 has been arranged outsidethe primary visual field 23, in the secondary visual field 24. It hasbeen found that use of a first image 8 on a thus arranged screen 2 iswell visible to the driver, at least has a high attention value, withoutthe driver needing to look directly at the screen 2. So, he or she cankeep his or her eyes “on the road”. Control means 5 can be provided in ausual manner, for instance on the steering wheel 22.

FIGS. 5A-C show three images of a screen 2 of a vehicle 1 according tothe invention, in three successive positions of the vehicle 18.

In FIG. 5A the vehicle 18 is (see arrow 17) on a relatively straightpart of the road. Here, the second image 13 completely visible and no ora completely transparent first image 8 is displayed. The driver thenknows that he simply has to follow the road.

In FIG. 5B, over the second image 13, a first image 8 is displayed, witha pattern 30 of sections 10, 11, 12 running up and/or down. As isclearly shown, the vehicle 18 (arrow 17) approaches a turn 26 (exit“Houten 29”), which turn 26 the vehicle should take. By the pattern 30moving up and/or down and/or flashing and/or accelerating and/ordecelerating and/or changing in composition, the attention of the driveris fixed thereon without the eyes being focused on the screen (“out ofthe corner of the eye”). For instance, the movement speed can beincreased or the image intensified, or, preferably, the modulationfrequency can be adjusted, particularly increased, if the respectiveturn 26 is more closely approached, in order to increase the attentionvalue for the driver.

FIG. 5C shows that the vehicle 18 (arrow 17) has arrived at therespective turn 26. Here, over the relatively static second image 13, afirst image 8 is shown with a pattern 30 of sections 10, 11, 12 runningfrom left to right. It is thereby indicated to the driver, as support ofthe second image 13, that this turn 26 is to be taken, for which purposethe highway is to be left on the right (viewed in the driving directionof the vehicle 18) in order reach the entered destination 15. Thispattern 30 may, for instance, be deployed right before the turn 26 isreached. Optionally, the pattern 30 as shown in FIG. 5B can be changedto the pattern as shown in FIG. 5C by rotation on the screen 2, forinstance with an image 8 in the form of a wheel with spokes.

It has been found particularly advantageous to control the screen 2, atleast the first image 8, with a varying modulation frequency. Here, themodulation frequency is increased as a higher attention of the user tothe route information is desired. In this context, modulation frequencyis at least understood to mean the frequency with which the image ismodulated, for instance the frequency with which the (first) image isrefreshed. For instance, when driving over a road part without turns andthe like, comparable with FIG. 5A, the image can slide over the secondimage 13 in a fluent movement. If a turn 26 is more closely approached,as shown in FIG. 5B, the modulation frequency will be adjusted, so thatthe first image 8 will move over the second image 13 in a joltingmanner. Preferably, it does remain visible all the time since this hasbeen found to be more restful to a user. When the respective turn 26 has(virtually) been reached, as shown in FIG. 5C, the modulation frequencywill be further adjusted, so that the first image 8 will move over thesecond image 13 in a slightly jolting manner. Here as well, the firstimage 8 preferably does remain visible at all times. So, here, the firstimage 8 moves “step by step” over the second image, for instance up andthen to the right as described hereinabove, while the modulationfrequency can be used as measure for the desired attention. Here, thefirst image can alternately stand still and move and/or alternately beswitched on and off.

Of course, acoustic and/or optical aids can be added. For instance, anattention light on the dashboard of the vehicle or in the screen can beprovided whose flashing frequency is increased as a turn is approachedmore closely.

In order to support the attention value, in addition to or instead ofthe pattern 30, as shown, for instance in FIG. 5B, the brightness of thescreen 2 can temporarily be adjusted if increased attention isnecessary. The movements of the pattern 30 of the first image 8 can beboth fluent and intermittent, “jerking”.

It will be clear that, by choice of different patterns, differentmessages can be conveyed to an observer such as a driver of a vehicle.For instance, the direction P of movement can be chosen depending on thedesired vehicle direction, desired accelerations and decelerations andthe like, by coding of the patterns more or less complex messages can beconveyed, comparable with codes such as Morse code and, also, multiplefirst images 8 can be displayed, for instance with movements indifferent directions. Moreover, in addition to the first images, other,already known support means can of course be used as well, such as voiceinstructions, which are, for instance, adjustable, so that they arealways on or are always off or are only switched on if a “complex”traffic situation occurs, such as a roundabout.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to theinvention, where, on a telephone screen, a first, dynamic image 8 in theform of a moving pattern 30 is shown, again in relatively dark andbright sections 10, 11 and transitional sections 12, with which theattention of a driver can be drawn in a different position in thevehicle, for instance to support a navigation system. In the embodimentshown, the pattern may also be used to draw the driver's attention to achange in the second image 13, for instance if the chosen number is nolonger engaged (“the number is engaged” changes into “dials”) so thatthis is simply pointed out to the driver.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an apparatus 1 according tothe invention in the form of an ATM. This comprises the usual parts suchas a credit card slot 31, a keyboard 32, a money slot 33 and a screen 2with control buttons 34 arranged around it. After inserting a creditcard (bank card) and entering an identification code on the keyboard 33,the communication continues via the screen and the control buttons. Withthe aid of written text 35, on the screen, information is given aboutcontrol buttons 34 which are or are not to be pressed sequentially andoptionally for performing a desired action. It has been found that,particularly for visually impaired people, such instructions are notreadable or difficult to read. Also, unfavorable lighting conditions canmake this difficult for others.

By using a method according to the invention, the use of such anapparatus 1 can considerably be improved. Here, instead or, preferably,in addition to the text 35, with a module 7 of an imageinformation-generating means 3, a pattern 30 of moving sections 10, 11is presented on the screen 2, which for instance moves in the directionP of a control button 34 which is the next which must or can beoperated. Here, the pattern can display further information, forinstance in the form of a code, such as for instance a choice betweentwo control buttons and the functions thereof. It has been found thatsuch patterns are even visible to visually impaired people inparticular, particularly if they use their peripheral visual field whichis particularly sensitive to grays, in particular the color-insensitiverods in the eye, for this. This can considerably increase the ease ofuse of such an apparatus 1.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the bright and dark sections 10, 11,12 are displayed relatively brightly, with high contrast, for reasons ofclarity. It has been found, however, that this contrast can be chosen soas to be relatively low, for instance a contrast which is more than 50%lower than that of the second image 13. Preferably, a contrast is usedof less than 25%, more in particular less than 20%. For the second image13, colors can be used, while the first image 8 is preferably built upin grays. In this specification, contrast and relatively dark and brightare at least understood to mean a difference in gray values of graysand/or colors.

It is clear that the first image 8 is presented independently of thesecond image 13 with respect to form. Thus, with the embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 1-5, the form of the first image 8 differs from thatof the route to be traveled optionally presented in the second image 13and the images do not move dependently of each other. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 6, the form of the first image is different than that ofthe information on the second image. The bright and dark sections arewholly or partly transparent, so that the second image remains at leastpartly visible under these sections.

The invention is by no means limited to the examples given in thedescription and drawings. Many variations thereof are possible withinthe framework of the invention set forth in the claims.

For instance, other means may be used for building up the second image,for instance via Internet or intranet connections, while, in addition,information may be presented in a different manner via the second image.The first and second image may be presented on two different screens,for instance the first image on a first screen such as a telephone orboard computer screen and the second image on the screen of a navigationsystem. Further, an apparatus according to the invention may of coursebe used in other vehicles and in other applications with screens, forinstance in networks and the like.

1. A method for indicating direction using a screen, wherein a patternof relatively dark and relatively bright sections is moved over ascreen, in a direction in which an observer is to be directed such thata dynamic first image is generated which provides an impression thatsaid first image at least one of rotates and translates over asubstantial width of said screen, said first image varying in at leastone of light contrast and structure for suggesting movement.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said pattern is built up from series ofalternately relatively dark and relatively bright sections.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said pattern is built up from relativelybright and relatively dark stripes.
 4. A method according to claim 1,wherein said pattern is moved over a screen, on which screen,simultaneously, a second image which is relatively static with respectto said pattern is displayed.
 5. A method for presenting routeinformation in a vehicle, using a method according to claim 1, wherein ascreen of a route information system such as a navigation system isarranged in a vehicle, preferably in a peripheral visual field of adriver of the vehicle, wherein, on said screen, at least one of atopographical image and graphical representation of a route ispresented, wherein, simultaneously, said pattern is moved over saidscreen in a direction P which is recommended to the driver of thevehicle.
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of thestructure and the movement speed and direction and composition of saidpattern over said screen are directed on the basis of the attentiondesired from at least one of the driver and an action to be performed bythe driver.
 7. A method according to claim 5, wherein, using saidpattern, both by its structure and by its direction of movement,information is presented.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second sections each extend across a substantial portion ofsaid screen.
 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first imagerotates over said substantial width of said screen.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said first image translates over saidsubstantial width of said screen.
 11. An apparatus for indicatinginformation on a screen, comprising at least one screen and imageinformation-generating means, wherein the image information-generatingmeans at least comprise an algorithm for displaying, on said screen, atleast a first dynamic image in the form of a moving pattern of first andsecond sections, wherein the first sections are relatively brightcompared to the second sections, wherein the screen has longitudinaledges and said image information-generating means are preferablyarranged for at least temporarily moving said pattern in the directionof at least one of the longitudinal edges such that said dynamic firstimage provides an impression that said first image at least one ofrotates and translates over a substantial width of said screen, saidfirst image varying in at least one of light contrast and structure forsuggesting movement.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein theimage information-generating means are further arranged for displaying,on said screen, further information in the form of a second image, oversaid first image.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein saidapparatus comprises route information means, supported by said movingpattern.
 14. A vehicle provided with an apparatus according to claim 11,wherein said screen is provided in a peripheral visual field of a driverof said vehicle.
 15. A vehicle according to claim 14, provided with anavigation system, wherein said screen is part of said navigation systemand said navigation system provides said impression.
 16. An apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said first and second sections eachextend across a substantial portion of said screen.
 17. An apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said first image rotates over saidsubstantial width of said screen.
 18. An apparatus according to claim11, wherein said first image translates over said substantial width ofsaid screen.
 19. A method for indicating direction using a screen,wherein a dynamic first image is generated, said dynamic first imageincluding a first pattern of relatively dark and relatively brightsections, wherein said first pattern is moved over a screen, in adirection in which an observer is to be directed, and a second imagecomprising routing imaging is provided on the screen, such that saiddynamic first image provides an impression that said first image atleast one of rotates and translates over said screen independent fromthe second image.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein each ofsaid relatively dark and relatively bright sections extend across asubstantial portion of said screen.